Closure feed system with a spout diverter/singulator

Abstract

A closure feed system for use on an associated dual train form, fill, and seal packaging machine for feeding, diverting and singulating closures from a common closure storage region to a closure applicator includes an upper chute for conveying the closures from the storage region to a diverter/singulator, two lower chutes for conveying separated closures from the diverter/singulator to respective applicators, and a diverter/singulator for diverting and separating the closures. The upper chute defines an upper conveyance path, while the two lower chutes define two lower conveyance paths to their respective applicators. The diverter/singulator includes a reciprocating plate with two closure-holding grooves. As the plate slides between the upper and lower chutes, the grooves alternately align with the upper chute, or with the first or second lower chutes. A form, fill, and seal packaging machine including the closure feed system is also disclosed.

1. A dual train form, fill, and seal packaging machine for forming, filling, and sealing packages in two parallel form, fill and seal paths, the packages having a closure mounted thereto, comprising:
 a carton magazine; 
 a carton erection station; 
 a closure applicator station including a closure storage region and a first and second closure applicators, each of the applicators associated with a respective one of the form, fill and seal trains, the applicator station further including a closure feed system with an upper chute for conveying the closures from the storage region to a diverter/singulator, the upper chute defining an upper conveyance path, the closure feed system including first and second lower chutes defining first and second lower conveyance paths for conveying separated closures from the diverter/singulator to the respective applicators, wherein the diverter/singulator includes a laterally reciprocating plate having first and second main closure-holding grooves, the plate configured for sliding between the upper and lower chutes, so that when the first main groove is aligned with the upper chute the second main groove is aligned with the second lower chute, and when the second main groove is aligned with the upper chute, the first main groove is aligned with the first lower chute; 
 first and second filing stations; and 
 first and second top sealing stations. 
 
   
   
     2. The form, fill, and seal packaging machine in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a first minor groove lies within the first main groove, and a second minor groove lies within the second main groove. 
   
   
     3. The form, fill, and seal packaging machine in accordance with  claim 1 , including a drive for reciprocating the reciprocating plate. 
   
   
     4. The form, fill, and seal packaging machine in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein the drive is a pneumatic cylinder. 
   
   
     5. The form, fill, and seal packaging machine in accordance with  claim 1 , including a frame for carrying the upper chute, the diverter/singulator, and the first and second lower chutes. 
   
   
     6. The form, fill, and seal packaging machine in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the reciprocating plate slides within a guide on the frame. 
   
   
     7. The form, fill, and seal packaging machine in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the frame includes a lidded aperture positioned under the upper chute.